California School of Italian Plasters

Ayn was extraordinarily patient with me and was very generous with her time when I dropped in to see the school. I had quite a bit of experience, but she essentially gave me a free lesson to bridge my substantial gap in knowledge. Using her products my project came out spectacularly well on the first try. It was a large bathroom so a lot was at stake. Thanks Ayn!

This is a course for amateurs and professionals who hope to learn the true method of Italian plastering. Regardless of which one you are, you’ll leave this course confident and ready for business. Students lucky enough to take this course graduate part of an elite group of individuals with a skill level exceeding most any other plaster artist in the states. This is an incredibly impressive program that will wow any student — pro or amateur.
This is a phenomenal program run by true professionals and gifted teacher, Ayn Riggs. (The proprietor of Italian Plasterworks, Solana Beach, CA). Prior to becoming an Italian plaster master, Ayn was a tech security genius. Ayn is a patient and relaxed instructor with a great sense of humor and one goal: your success in perfecting the true Italian method of plastering. (Even after students graduate they are encouraged to call Ayn directly with questions any time). Ayn offers a fascinating heap of knowledge that spans materials, how to handle clients, how to bid jobs, plaster technique, history of plaster methods, how to begin a business and build a portfolio, and more.
We learned how to quote jobs accurately, estimate, order, mix, color tint, handle, apply, finish, cure, and enhance all of the plasters. Ayn has a style that is direct and honest with no-​bullshit, and she’s an exceptional, and enjoyable teacher to train under.
Italian plaster runs around $ 10-​$ 30/​square foot, so I took this course hoping to learn to do my own house. I came an amateur, and left a confident professional. In my class were two other home owners with the same goals, as well as two professional house painters looking to add a skill to their trade.
The course has 7 – 10 students at a time, and has previously had up to a year waiting list, with students flying in from all over the country. Lunch is included every day.
We all graduated this program with 32 over-​sized portfolio boards, showcasing 32, different stunning Italian Plaster finishes. I’ve set the boards around my house now, and am choosing which colors and plasters to put where. The different techniques we learned span old world, and über-​modern, to mid-​century modern and more.
Day 1 was spent prepping each «wall» board and fumbling with our trowels like morons.
Day 2, we learned even more about the elements with which we worked, and fumbled more with our trowels.
By day 3 of standing and pushing a trowel, my right shoulder was worked into a knot, and i was exhausted. (Word of advice, use your stool to sit on at every demo.)
By day 4 your confidence begins to improve and you begin to actually have fun. Then you realize you still suck and class is almost over.
Day 5 you can almost pronounce some of the Italian names of the products with which you’ve been working for a week.
Day 6 you have 32 amazing boards
**This course was so exhausting and intense, I cannot recommend attempting to work or even socialize (even after hours), for the six days you’re in the course.